New R-Pod 180 New to camping
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Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7462
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Topic: New R-Pod 180 New to camping
Posted By: DaveC3
Subject: New R-Pod 180 New to camping
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2016 at 8:17am
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We just purchased a new R-Pod 180. We will take delivery on Feb 27. This is our first camper, and camping for that matter, so it should be interesting. We have made reservations at a local lake for the evening of the 27th. It is within 3 miles of our house. Here in central Texas the weather has been great, spring like weather for most of the winter. Hopefully it will stay that way until we get one night under our belt. I am sure I will be visiting this forum daily until we are seasoned campers (many years to come). So far we have got a lot of useful information from this forum, maybe someday I can add a helpful tidbit. Wish us luck. Dave ------------- 2016 R-Pod 180 2015 Ford Explorer Limited |
Replies:
Posted By: drhalvey
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2016 at 8:39am
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Hey, February 27 is my birthday. COOL! Blessings on your new adventure! |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2016 at 10:19am
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Welcome to the group! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2016 at 10:54am
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I hope your pick-up and first camping trip go well. Our pickup and first tow was from the dealer to our driveway. About a week later, we set out for a major trip from NC to NV and AZ and back. Some things to watch out for: Make sure all the plumbing connections are tight. We had a leak beneath the kitchen sink in our 179. Even though these things might become loose with road vibration, I don't think they were properly tightened initially. Also, be sure that all operations of things like the refrigerator are checked (running on AC, Battery, and Propane). We had a problem there because the propane operation of the refrigerator had not been checked. Check ALL seals, including the seal around the hot water heater hatch. We found where the hatch had not been sealed all the way around, causing water to run through and leak down around the base of the camper wall. Any water coming out of the anode rod fitting when it is drained should drain out through the opening, not down behind the wall. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: DaveC3
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2016 at 12:42pm
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Thanks for the welcome and advise. I will be sure to check it out at the dealer before leaving. We plan an several local overnight stays before hitting the road. Hope to find any problems during these stays. The dealer and camp ground are very close. So if any problems arise, they can be quickly found and corrected. Thanks again Dave ------------- 2016 R-Pod 180 2015 Ford Explorer Limited |
Posted By: CozyPod
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2016 at 1:54pm
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Welcome to the group and congratulations on the 180!
You will learn a lot of things on that first trip so be sure to carry a pen and paper. There are many tips and helpful folks on this forum. Enjoy........ ------------- David & Suzanne |
Posted By: jstrenn
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2016 at 4:51pm
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I created a checklist on my phone that I use each time after I hitch up the pod, but before I drive away. I've included items such as: - Hitch latched & locked - Safety chains hooked up - Trailer brake lights hooked up - Front tongue jack up - Stabilizer jacks up - Slide out (in) - Tie down (secure) dinette table - Refridgerator settings (I usually tow with fridge on propane) - Water heater off (gas and electric) - Antenna power off - Water pump off - All lights, stereo & TV off - Steps up - Vents and windows closed - Doors and hatches closed and locked - Power cord disconnected - Water hose disconnected and so on. You can taylor it to fit your needs. I found it really helpful for the first few times out. But I still go through the checklist each time now. I checked my phone and that is my entire list. After I posted this I went back and edited to include everything. That should give you a pretty good start. |
Posted By: Rockin the Pod
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2016 at 8:12pm
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Congrats on your 180! We only got to take ours out once before the snow started flying. It has warmed up a bit and the snow is going away fast. We are really looking forward to getting out soon. The one time we got out was awesome! We love our 180, it seems to be the right fit for us. ------------- 2016 180 HRE 2014 Tacoma Taylor 210 CSE Bose L1 Model II 2008 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic |
Posted By: DaveC3
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2016 at 8:37am
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jstrenn Thanks for the advise. I was thinking of doing something similar. Many years ago I took flying lessons, a check list was a must. Thanks again Dave ------------- 2016 R-Pod 180 2015 Ford Explorer Limited |
Posted By: DaveC3
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2016 at 8:45am
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Rockin the Pod The weather here in central Texas has been fantastic. We are planning a trip from Texas to Seattle visiting as many National Parks as we can along the way up and back. Maybe we will bump into each other somewhere  What is the HRE mean? Dave ------------- 2016 R-Pod 180 2015 Ford Explorer Limited |
Posted By: Rockin the Pod
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2016 at 11:43am
We are up in the Moab area. Arches National Park and the Canyonlands. I am always on the lookout for Rpods so I just may see you guys! HRE = Hood River Edition ------------- 2016 180 HRE 2014 Tacoma Taylor 210 CSE Bose L1 Model II 2008 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2016 at 11:44am
- Antenna power off <---May I suggest adding to this TV tieback strap fastened? Edit: I just modified your list, rearranging into Interior and Exterior checks and added a few things. < ="text/">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; } < ="text/">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 120%; }
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: jstrenn
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2016 at 2:40pm
I like it!!! |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2016 at 2:58pm
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Nice job! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: DaveC3
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2016 at 7:26pm
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StephenH Thanks a lot, this will be very helpful. Thanks again Dave ------------- 2016 R-Pod 180 2015 Ford Explorer Limited |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2016 at 8:27pm
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I like the idea because I have forgotten a couple of items on the list, among which were to ensure the TV was strapped in. It will be a handy thing. Thanks for the idea jstrenn.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: les olvera
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2016 at 10:44am
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I recently purchased a 171 and have taken it out 5 times and learning something every time I take out. I'm planning a long trip this summer that will take approximately 3 months, I hope these short trips I'm taking now will payoff for my summer adventure. Joining the Rpod forum is a good step, it certainly has been great, the people in this forum are great and willing to share their experiences. Welcome to the forum ------------- Les |
Posted By: DaveC3
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 9:43am
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Thanks Les That is our plan also. A couple local stays, a moderate length trip (500 miles) and then this summer we are planning a trip to several national parks. The planned route is about 5,000 miles. Take care Dave ------------- 2016 R-Pod 180 2015 Ford Explorer Limited |